Rotation Stations

Some days are just harder than others, often for no apparent reason. The kids seem to be constantly bickering and arguing and you just really crave some peace and quiet!! Especially on days like these, I find it is really worth setting up something one of my good friends introduced me to, called “Rotation Stations”.

Basically, this involves picking a number of different activities (probably the number of kids you have) and drawing up a simple timetable on a whiteboard / chalkboard or paper to show the order in which your kids will rotate through the activities. This means they get say 20 min (or whatever time you choose) BY THEMSELVES at a given station before moving on to the next one.

Some of the activities I have used are: movie (they just watch whatever part it is up to, or all watch the beginning, or each watch an episode of something age-appropriate), art (my go-to is Artventure), Lego, Sumdog (online maths games), jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes or scooters, baking with me.. etc etc.

My kids LOVE rotation stations and get super excited when I implement them! Probably because I don’t do them all the time, and they usually get screen time as part of it! It’s a fantastic strategy for us as parents to get some downtime and a great way for the kids to get some time on their own.